NIH Definition of a Clinical Trial
A research study in which one or more human subjects are prospectively assigned prospectively assigned The term "prospectively assigned" refers to a pre-defined process (e.g., randomization) specified in an approved protocol that stipulates the assignment of research subjects (individually or in clusters) to one or more arms (e.g., intervention, placebo, or other control) of a clinical trial. to one or more interventions interventionsAn "intervention" is defined as a manipulation of the subject or subject’s environment for the purpose of modifying one or more health-related biomedical or behavioral processes and/or endpoints. Examples include: drugs/small molecules/compounds; biologics; devices; procedures (e.g., surgical techniques); delivery systems (e.g., telemedicine, face-to-face interviews); strategies to change health-related behavior (e.g., diet, cognitive therapy, exercise, development of new habits); treatment strategies; prevention strategies; and, diagnostic strategies. (which may include placebo or other control) to evaluate the effects of those interventions on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes. health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes.A "health-related biomedical or behavioral outcome" is defined as the pre-specified goal(s) or condition(s) that reflect the effect of one or more interventions on human subjects’ biomedical or behavioral status or quality of life. Examples include: positive or negative changes to physiological or biological parameters (e.g., improvement of lung capacity, gene expression); positive or negative changes to psychological or neurodevelopmental parameters (e.g., mood management intervention for smokers; reading comprehension and /or information retention); positive or negative changes to disease processes; positive or negative changes to health-related behaviors; and, positive or negative changes to quality of life. Learn more
DECISION TOOL
Your human subjects study may meet
the NIH definition
of a clinical trial.
Credit: Lydia Polimeni, National Institutes of Health
Clinical Trial Definition
Learn more about why NIH is implementing changes to enhance the stewardship of clinical trials and how these changes will impact your research.
Clinical Trial-specific Funding Opportunities
Beginning for January 25, 2018 due dates, all applications proposing clinical trials must be submitted through a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) designated specifically for clinical trials. Learn more.
Clinical Trial-Specific Review Criteria
New review criteria will be used to evaluate applications proposing clinical trials or clinical trial research experience. Learn more about the new clinical trial-specific review criteria that will apply to applications with due dates on or after January 25, 2018.
Protocol Template
If your application includes phase 2 or 3 clinical trials that require Investigational New Drug application (IND) or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) applications, a NIH-FDA template with instructional and sample text can help you write your protocols. Use of this template is optional. Exemption (IDE) applications, a NIH-FDA template with instructional and sample text can help you in writing your protocols. Learn more.
Registration and Reporting
A new regulation and NIH policy has expanded Clinicaltrials.gov registration and reporting to all NIH-funded clinical trials. Learn more about what you need to know about these requirements.
Good Clinical Practice
Effective January 1, 2017 NIH expects all NIH-funded clinical investigators and clinical trial staff who are involved in the design, conduct, oversight, or management of clinical trials to be trained in Good Clinical Practice (GCP). Learn more.
Human Subjects and Clinical Trial Information
A new Human Subjects and Clinical Trial Information form will be required for all human subjects and/or clinical trial research beginning for January 25, 2018 due dates. Learn more about this new form and what it means for your grant application or contract proposal.
Human Subjects System
Effective June 9, 2018, the Human Subjects System (HSS) replaced the Inclusion Management System (IMS). HSS consolidates human subjects and clinical trial information in one place. The system is accessed by PIs/signing officials and NIH Staff via eRA Commons. Learn more.
Credit: Lydia Polimeni, National Institutes of Health
Posting Informed Consent Forms
Learn more about the new requirement that clinical trials post informed consent documents to a public federal government website.
Credit: Lydia Polimeni, National Institutes of Health
Training & Resources
Learn more about training opportunities and use the resources below to help spread the word about NIH's clinical trial policies. We will continue to post additional resources, so check back frequently!
Credit: Lydia Polimeni, National Institutes of Health
Why Changes to Clinical Trial Policies?
Learn more about why NIH is implementing changes to enhance the stewardship of clinical trials and how these changes will impact your research.
Single IRB Policy for Multi-site Research
Do you conduct multi-site clinical research? Learn more about the new policy requiring use of single IRB for grant applications with due dates January 25, 2018 and beyond, and for contract solicitations published starting January 25, 2018.